THANK YOU

TO OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF.

Here’s a full recap of our first-ever Japan Parade 2022 held in New York City.
We’d also like to extend our deepest gratitude to our Japan Parade official sponsors.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting this event.

We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

JAPAN PARADE GRAND MARSHAL: GEORGE TAKEI

George Takei is a social justice activist, social media superstar, Grammy-nominated recording artist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneering actor whose career has spanned six decades. He has appeared in more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television roles, most famously as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, and he has used his success as a platform to fight for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and marriage equality. His advocacy is personal: during World War II, Takei spent his childhood unjustly imprisoned in United States internment camps along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans.

He now serves as Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Japanese American National Museum’s Board of Trustees. Takei served on the board of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission under President Bill Clinton, and, in 2004, was conferred with the Gold Rays with Rosette of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan for his contribution to US-Japan relations.

About The Event

JAPAN PARADE (SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022)

Opening Ceremony at 12:30 p.m.

Location: Central Park West between 70th and 71st street (Grand Stand area VIP only)

Japan Parade starts at 1:00 p.m.

Route: Central Park West from 81st street heading south towards 68th street

JAPAN STREET FAIR (SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022)

Japan Street Fair is open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: 69th street between Central Park West and Columbus Ave.

THE PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE​

Every year our festival Japan Day @ Central Park celebrates Japanese culture, art, tradition, and food at Central Park. Our event is designed to introduce our culture to New Yorkers and to connect with the local Japanese community. In 2022, Japan Day is organizing the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City on Saturday, May 14.

The year 2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the visit of the Japanese mission led by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Iwakura Tomomi in 1872, which resulted in the remarkable development of Japan-U.S. relations, including the establishment of the consulate in New York. This year also celebrates the 150th anniversary of the introduction of baseball to Japan from the U.S., which remains very popular to this day.

In New York, ethnic groups from around the world have long held parades to showcase the rich culture and lifestyles of their communities. The Japan Parade will be the first parade in New York to honor the Japanese people and their heritage.

Initially, a parade was planned for 2020 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the first Japanese delegates’ visit to the U.S. in 1860, as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, but was sadly canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are delighted to bring this two-year project to fruition. The purpose of the Japan Parade is to further promote friendship between the U.S. and Japan, to express gratitude to New York City, and to strengthen the solidarity of the Japanese-American community on this milestone anniversary.

Japan Street Fair

FOOD TENTS

*Available til supplies last

  • BBQ Chashu bowl by Nakamura INC

  • Hojicha panna cotta by Abe’s kitchen and Mt.FUJI Japanese Steakhouse

  • Japanese Fried Chicken by TORI-BIEN

  • Japanese Ramen by Ramen Kings

  • Mochi donuts by Kai Sweets and Mt.FUJI Japanese Steakhouse

  • Okonomiyaki by Otafuku Foods inc.

  • Onigiri by TORI-BIEN

  • SOBA-YA

  • Tea by ITO EN (North America) INC.

OVERVIEW

The Japan Parade shows the New Yorkers the comprehensive appeal of Japan. Everything from drums, dance, and martial arts to animation. The Japan Street Fair will further strengthen Japan-US exchanges through delicious Japanese cuisines and activities.

The theme is “Festival Yatai (Outdoor) gourmet”. We will introduce various Japanese street foods such as Ramen, Soba, Okonomiyaki, and more with the cooperation of local restaurant officials. In addition, Japanese tea will be provided by a donation from a company that supports the Japan Parade. Furthermore, Japan Street Fair is also a part of the export promotion efforts of Japanese foods by the Japan Food Export Platform NY, managed by JETRO and the Consulate General of Japan in New York.

We will also have a few activity tents including a tote bag charity tent. In conjunction with the Central Park Conservancy, we have put special effort into various initiatives to help maintain our beautiful home park, including planting cherry trees in the park. This year, we are collecting donations that will go toward supporting Ukraine.

ACTIVITY TENTS

Take a picture of yourself at the activity tents and post it on social media! Make sure you tag us @japandaynyc and use the hashtags #japanparade and #japanstreetfair

Come say hi to Hello Kitty at her photo booth!
Mikoshi, the portable shrine by Samukawa Jinja will be out on display
Enjoy creating some cranes and others with Origami by Origami Therapy Association

SERVICE TENTS

Introducing Local Japan by The Japan Local Government Center
Japan Street Fair HQ
Tourist Information by Japan National Tourism Organization
Charity Supporting the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America

Since 2008, Japan Day @ Central Park has dedicated itself to numerous charity efforts. In conjunction with the Central Park Conservancy, we have put special effort into various initiatives to help maintain our beautiful home park, including planting cherry trees in the park. For this year, we have decided to work with the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America.

Please visit our Charity Tent during the event to donate to this initiative!

With your donation of $20 or more, you will receive an official Japan Parade ECO-bag. The artist behind the design is Alexandra E. Tataru, the grand prize winner of the Japan Parade Art Contest. This year all proceeds collected at the charity tent will go towards in supporting Ukraine. If you’d like to know more about the organization we are working with please CLICK HERE.